Council offers support package to assist lessees and licensees impacted by coronavirus.

WOLLONGONG City Council has announced a support package to assist Council lessees and licensees impacted by the challenges presented by coronavirus.

From today, Council will defer its tenants’ rental payments for a period of 90 days for lessees and licensees who are unable to carry out their normal business under the changes that are in place to minimise the spread of coronavirus.

In addition, rent reviews for Council tenants will be deferred until further notice and outdoor dining licence holders will have their fees waived for 90 days.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said the Council has about 170 lessees and licensees who operate from its properties or off its land who are being targeted in Stage 1 of the support package.

“These businesses include cafes and commercial retail places and by deferring their rental payments and deferring rent reviews, we’re able to give them some financial support, and some peace of mind during what is going to be a very tough time for local business,” he said.

All businesses in the area, including Council lessees and licensees who are impacted by coronavirus are also encouraged to seek support from the Federal and State governments through their Business website.

“This is a fast-moving situation and we are seeing businesses and retailers face the need to change and adapt the way the are working to try and survive this challenging time,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

“The Stage 1 of our support package will go some way to making things easier for some local businesses and may even give them the ability to keep some staff employed for longer.’’

The Council will contact lessees and licensees targeted in Stage 1 of the support package directly.

For residents and businesses finding it financially tough at this time, the Counil have a Debt Recovery and Rates Hardship Policy. The Council’s Customer Service team is available on (02) 4227 7111 for advice about the policy. For more information on Council-related news on coronavirus, visit its dedicated page

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About Mick Roberts

A Sydney journalist, writer and historian, Mick Roberts specialises in Australian cultural history, particularly associated with the Australian hotel and liquor industry. Mick has had an interest in revealing the colourful story of pubs, inns and associated industries in Australia for over 30 years. He is currently working on a comprehensive history of the hotel and liquor industry in the Illawarra region of NSW. Besides writing a number of history books, Mick has owned and managed several community newspapers. He was one time editor of the Wollongong Northern News, The Bulli Times, The Northern Times, The Northern Leader and The Local - all located in the Wollongong region. As a journalist he has worked for Rural Press, Cumberland (News Limited), Sydney based, City News, and Torch Publications based in Canterbury Bankstown, NSW. He currently calls the inner-Sydney suburb of Surry Hills home.